Discussion: Meniscus Surgery Recovery Time?

Been playing ball since I was 9, have never needed any surgery for any ball related injury in 43 years.

Been Banged up all season, finally tore something playing outfield after hitting a low spot, in stride, chasing down a ball.

This happened three weeks ago, waited one week to see the doc, as I orginally figured it was just another bruise of some kind, but knew this was different.

Got MRI and results back next day---Torn Meniscus, broken cartliage needs removed, and the typical senior stuff (lots of arthritis in there :-)----no ligament damage.

Here in Cleveland, the surgeon isn't even seeing me till this Thursday for consoltation. They are "backed up" on surgeries, Wrong time of year to get hurt with local high school/college football and all fall sports started up the past few weeks. I'll find out all details then.

I'm guessing this is a "Scope", all I know is I'm not even sleeping well at night, knee touches anything rolling over, it hurts, walking "down" steps sucks, going up steps though, not bad at all.

I have have had 5 arthroscopic knee jobs, one like you describe over the years. But I had varying recovery times, 4-8 weeks and have also played to soon on that knee and shoulder jobs...I warn against doing that.
Your PT is the biggest factor for getting back into shape in my opinion. don't skate on it. Don't over do it either.
I'm back to my patella bone on bone. It was made to float over joint in one of the jobs about 20 years ago but is back causing problems.
Yes, they hurt.
Good luck but have it done so it doesn't get worse.
Scope surg doesn't leave much of a scar especially after a few years, I can't see many of mine at all.

I have had two also and safe to say 4-6 weeks depending on how motivated you are and your PT of course. I had to take out the lateral completely and it was about 6 weeks. It all depends on you and your PT afterwards.

I just had mine done 4 weeks ago. They told me it would be 4 weeks best case to start playing again. I did play a little in after 3 weeks and it felt fine. Just took it easy running and batting, just trying to ease back into it.The hardest part was not to over do it.

I had my done late January and played in early March. The scope took about an hour or less. A little pain first night. I was up and moving the next day. It helps if your in decent shape prior to event. I was not looking forward to having it done but it really wasn't that big of deal.

17, Don't look at the above as a generic thing.
All knee procedures are not the same. Go with paper and pencil and ask lots of questions. Ask to learn exactly what is wrong and exactly how they intend to fix it. Ask what could go wrong and how the fix might change if the find something else when they open it up.
There are no medals for getting back in the game any earlier and you want to be able to play in your 70's and beyond.
My brother messed up 1 knee permanently by going back too soon, and permanently fixed the other because he had to take 16 weeks off after major surgery on the bad knee. Give yourself a chance to heal and follow the PT exactly. More is not better.

I played a 2 day tourney 17 days after getting two tears repaired and that was not a smart move on my part. My suggestion is to wait until the off season to get it done and take your time getting back into playing form. The procedure is a piece of cake and I was walking the dog in a couple days. The same knee is now a mess and I am wondering if part of that is because I pushed the recovery.

17 black just checking to see how things are going and if surgery has been set yet hope to see you soon and that things go smoothly have you seen or talked to 86 orange how is his elbow last thing i heard need 6 weeks of rest

17Black, The key seems to me to be the "lots of arthritis." The surgeon can fix the meniscus just fine, as he did when I had mine done, but shortly thereafter, I began to have pain that he explained away as arthritis. Now he's encouraging me to consider replacement..............guess that's their bread and butter. Good luck with yours, Mel

Out of surgery @ 6:00 then arrived home at 8:00. No Pain so far. I'm able to put pressure on it with the aid of a crutch. Repaired meniscus and cleaned up some arthritis. Lets see how fast this 70 year old (69 2/3) will heal.

I got a physical yesterday and surgery is scheduled for Friday the 21st morning.

Doc doing the surgery said expect to be on a crutch for a day or two.

Coincidentaly, the Doc who did my physical also had this surgery done about two years ago, he is 50 and plays competitive tennis. He said the menisucus itself heals fast, but there is more pain associated (with some people, not all) where they "clean out the arthritis", which is where he had some issues for a few weeks.

Day 2: 17 hours after release. No Pain absolutely no pain. I have a pair of white retarded support stockings (no Im not a cross dresser) I have to wear for 48 hours. I can put all my weight on the leg but Im suppose to take it slow so time will tell. As of now this one is better than the last one on the interior of the same knee two years ago. I was his last surgery of the day. Maybe this is what they mean by practice. By the time he got to me he got better :O)

Saturday 4:00 72 hours: Ditched the crutch this am and walking with minimal discomfort but slow. Swelling is minimal but cant get the leg completely straitened out. Post op appointment Tuesday morning. So Far So Good

Day 6: Had post op. Walked into the Dr office. He said you can do anything you want in two weeks. If you get pain you've done too much. If you get swelling you've done too much. Wants me on a stationary bike 3 times a week for 1/2 hour. Wants me back in 4 weeks.

Day7: Walked a mile this am. Went to my grandsons football game vs Tesoro in Santa Margarita later i the day. Up and down bleachers with no discomfort.

I had arthoscopic surgery on my left knee on March 29th. They shaved my meniscus, and some of my bone. I never looked so forward to surgery in my life, as they just put cortisone shots in for about ten months. My knee was at about 70% about two months later. However, I somehow strained a groin muscle, and with the arthiritis in my right knee. I had tough time really playing. I did therapy starting at the end of July, and I feel like I'm at no less that 95% percent now. What a difference it made.

If your problems persist, I recommend seeing a doctor who will prescribe you therapy sessions. Hang in there, it will get better. I was walking on mine some the day of the surgery. Just keep moving the thing, and put ice on it.

17Black-I've had 4 surgeries and wear a full CTI brace-the big one and have for 24 years now. I've been bone on bone for 14 years so I have tried a lot of things to keep it strong and continue to play. My recommendation is Glucosamine 1500mg/Chondroitin 1200mg, and I take 5 a day-and I know it works because if I run out for a couple days my knee tells me. The other recommendation is a bicycle. I started riding in 1990. If you have never done it much, riding outside is great, but you have to get over the 'hump' so to speak to get to enjoy it. I started with 5 mile rides and now routinely do 30-35 with some longer rides. It beats the HECK out of a stationary bike!! Then it gets fun and you can join groups, races, etc. It strengthens legs, great cardio-I love it. Am nearing 35,000 miles now. Good Luck!

5ToolsinOhio (LOL) I made you feel guilty with my personal e-mail didn't I :(--------Thanks for Asking.

Webbie-----thanks for the advise and I enjoy your posts.

Well on Friday the 5th it will be two full weeks since surgery. I FEEL GREAT!!!! I was on crutches at work for 5 days (doc orders) ditched the crutches when he said OK, and golfed 18 holes three days after that with NO PAIN. (I did wear a knee stabilizer for "just in case") The pain and swelling subsided and started going away almost immediately after ditching the crutches.

Doc and PT folks said I can probably stop coming to PT soon. I've got another evaluation tomorrow---------All Pain associated with meniscus & broken cartliage, & cyst are all "GONE" Only slight pains are from where the scope entered the knee in three places and that it is better every day too!!!!! Minor swelling still around the incisions. Doc told me the way he shaved it, I can't damage that anymore than it already was

5Tools, if we had to play this weekend in a tournament, I'd comfortably say I'd be good to go. I'm 1000% better than I was at our end of August Tournament in Michigan & end of our league season.

Everything is going well 3 weeks after surgery. No pain except for some normal arthritis pain. I'm at the gym 3 days a week on the stationary bike for 20 to 25 minutes and then on the machines to build muscle mass. Need to get rid of the man boobs. I have a new girl friend. Nothing like incentive. :O)

You been talking to your good friend G19 again, softball4b? While I admit at times that the doctor might have missed the knee and done the frontal lobotomy instead (I can't tell), I think you have obviously had the enlargement--of the waist area! In all seriousness-I do look forward to playing on the same team with you again next year.
.doog ytterp eb dluohs eW

Just got the results from a recent blood test. I have gout in my right knee. Has anybody ever heard of gout in the knee? Anyway he said that could be the reason I have pain after I set long periods of time when I first get up. My new GF who is a CNA says I should be in a lot of pain. The doctor said I should be begging for knee replacement. But none of that is true... at least not right now. Let me hear from you guys with gout. I always thought it was a foot joint issue. Mark Im still working on those pecs. Hope to see you at a tournament this next season.

TONIGHT was the first night I took some swings in practice and tested the knee.

Swinging was OK-----first couple the timing was way off. Haven't touched a bat in five or six weeks. I did wear a knee stablizer!!!!!

I was disappointed trying to run in the outfield. Some tenderness there I didn't think I had from PT, riding the bike, walking daily, weight machines, stretch bands and etc. This was my first "running session" and I know I'm not ready to go to a tournament yet!!!!!! NOT EVEN CLOSE as far as the legs go.

Hitting seemed to be OK, lots of line shots and some long balls in about 25/30 swings.

Doc told me 6-8 weeks so I am starting to believe him, regardless how good the knee feels in general.

My Ohio tournament team is not going to Jacksonville in a few weeks, unfortunately, so I have plenty of time to get ready for 2013 now.

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